‘Head Start’ May celebrations

Fri, Jun 13, 2014

by Christel Soleyn-Durrant

What does the month of May mean to you? At Head Start Pre-school, “May is the month of Celebrations.”

While the pre-schoolers are always the focus of attention, the Head Start administration also addresses the needs of mothers{{more}} and the family as a unit. On Friday, May 9, mothers were treated to lunch dates with their “babies”. This event allowed the mothers to socialize with their children and meet the primary caregivers of their children’s friends.

The child-centered activities of May included sporting events, such as athletics and swimming. The little learners were able to demonstrate their developmental skills and showcase their talents. Many parents were present to support their young ones, as they competed in the events. Pre-schoolers have dreams, interests and aspirations. As they grow, their interests might change, but for now, the two and three-year-olds at Head Start want to be pilots, doctors, chefs, teachers and models, as was evident on Career Day. While children dream, they must remain healthy; therefore the tots visited the dental office of Dr Simone France, where they received dental examinations and were given tips on how to keep their teeth “clean and shiny” and prevent cavities.

Hand, foot and mouth, Chikungunya, the common cold and flu are all communicable illnesses that strike fear in the hearts of parents everywhere. A sick child means time away from school, work, having to hire someone to care for that child. Mrs Lavinia Francis, director of the pre-school, understands parents’ plight and in an effort to support them, invited pediatrician Dr Christian Anderson to provide information about these diseases and how to prevent them from spreading. Among the sage advice from the doctor was the warning to wash schoolbags more often, wash the children’s hands when they return from school, church and especially the supermarket, where they ride in trolleys used by hundreds of people on any given day.

While May celebrations at Head Start Pre-School have come to an end, the project to support children and parents is ongoing. In June, a CPR training workshop for parents and the yearly ‘Hats off to Reading’ and library visit have been scheduled. It is quite evident that for Head Start, the culture of pre-school for pre-schoolers has been relegated to the past.